Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 4.0On FEMA’s figures, Florida City faces more hazard damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Florida City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns, #397 of 638 in Florida State. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%), then hurricanes (36%). Flood insurance has paid 252 claims here since 1992.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Florida City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Florida City faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hurricanes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Florida City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 60% of the building damage FEMA expects in Florida City, and Florida City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts. Hurricanes add 36%, at a rate in the top 8% of U.S. census tracts.
D #397 of 638 in Florida State; higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Florida City’s residents live in 7 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Florida State town has higher expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Florida City has more expected damage per building than 62% of Florida State towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $4.1M a year in losses across Florida City: $3.0M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Florida City flood? Yes: 252 flood claims since 1992
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Florida City, from FEMA’s records: 58.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- Hurricane Katrina126 claims · $2.3M
- Hurricane Irene61 claims · $550K
- Hurricane Irma8 claims · $257K
Florida City isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Dade County.8 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Florida City
Disasters that paid out in Florida City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Florida City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2017Hurricane Irma3,988 households applied for aid$2.3M aid approved$4.3M to the City of Florida City for repairs8 flood claims paid for it, $257K
- 2005Hurricane Wilma909 households applied for aid$824K aid approved$686K to the City of Florida City for repairs4 flood claims paid for it, $41K
- 2005Hurricane Katrina$197K to the City of Florida City for repairs126 flood claims paid for it, $2.3M
- 2004Hurricane Frances318 households applied for aid$615K aid approved2 flood claims paid for it, $5K
- 2003Severe Storms and Tornadoes312 households applied for aid$307K aid approved
- 2000Severe Storms and Flooding$12K to the City of Florida City for repairs8 flood claims paid that year
Show all 8
- 1999Fl-hurricane Irene-dr-req$30K to the City of Florida City for repairs61 flood claims paid for it, $550K
- 1999Hurricane Floyd Emergency Declarations$6K to the City of Florida City for repairs1 flood claim paid for it, $2K
Its 2 counties have had 32 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often hurricanes and tropical storms, then severe storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Also 2 FEMA wildfire suppression grants (Fire Management Assistance, not a disaster declaration) for fires in its 2 counties, 1999–2001.
Old photos of Florida City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Florida City archive →Florida City and its neighbors
Florida City has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida City | Dmore damage than 86% | river and rain flooding | 252 |
| Homestead | Dmore damage than 87% | river and rain flooding | 459 |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Florida City faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- The season runs June through November and peaks from mid-August to mid-October.
- Bring in porch furniture and anything the wind can throw.
- Fill the gas tank and charge phones before the storm arrives.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Florida City
Is Florida City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Florida City has higher expected damage per building than 86% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk, #397 of 638 in Florida State. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (60%) and hurricanes (36%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Florida City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 252 claims in Florida City since 1992, $3.7M in all, or 58.8 per 1,000 homes, more than 94% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 47 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Hurricane Katrina (126).
Is Florida City in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Dade County, 74% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 33.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Florida City?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Florida City’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Florida City?
By FEMA money that reached Florida City, Hurricane Irma (2017): 3,988 households applied for aid, $2.3M approved, and $4.3M to the City of Florida City for repairs. By flood claims, Hurricane Katrina: 126 paid, $2.3M.
Is Florida City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (60%), and Florida City’s rate for it is higher than 82% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Florida City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Florida City’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.